THE ISSUE: Gov. Steve Beshear wants a slots bill pushed through the state legislature in January following an Ohio referendum that would allow casinos in four cities.

OUR VIEW: With the added pressure from surrounding states and a budget that’s in shambles, Kentucky’s legislators should begin working on a slots bill now so it can pass quickly in January.

If desperate times call for desperate measures, then it’s time Kentucky’s lawmakers stopped playing it safe and started finding solutions to the state’s budget problems.

While expanded gambling isn’t a perfect solution, it would be a step toward fixing a budget that’s been in bad shape for far too long.

Ohio’s decision to allow gambling could create almost 40,000 new jobs and will bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue.

So not only is Kentucky’s indecision costing citizens potential jobs, but states like Ohio will continue to take money out of the state as people cross the border to gamble.

Given the budget cuts that have occurred across the board recently, legislators have to find ways to keep that money within state lines.

There’s no reason substantial enough to stop a slots bill from passing in January.

Those who say gambling crosses a moral line should remember the state already crossed that line with the lottery and betting at racetracks.

Beshear’s slots bill wouldn’t create casinos but instead would place video lottery terminals at racetracks, a place where gambling is already taking place.

Opponents argue that the expanded gambling in Ohio would dilute the business in both states even if such a bill was passed.

While that may be true, failing to act would sacrifice any and all revenue that Kentucky stands to earn with slot machines at racetracks.

The legislative session doesn’t start until January, which means legislators have plenty of time to craft a bill that best fits the economic needs of the state.

It would also help if Western students wrote letters to their representatives urging them to make the slots bill a priority in the next couple of months.

Expanded gambling can create jobs, help fund higher education and keep money in the state.

That’s a gamble worth taking.

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald’s 11-member editorial board.